Candy preforming machine



Nov. 25, 1947. L. LATIN] 2,431,489

CANDY PREFORMING MACHINE .Filed Nov. 27, 1942 Sheets-Shae; l

I24 I52 I I VH4 /II8 21 27 ea 3, 67 7a. 43

71 72 34 a2 a7 a? 38 II I G.

29 ao a I 'Y W BY Q 4 a ATTORNEY NOV. 25, 1947. LATIN] 2,431,489

CANDY IPREFORMING MACHINE Filed NOV. 27, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VE N TOR.

Patented Nov. 25, 1947 iINiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to candy making machines and more particularly to candy preforming devices for producing hard candles in conjunction with a stick, such as confections commonly termed suckers, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of an improved, more simple and highly efficient hard candy preforming machine, preferable though not essentially for producing candies having attached sticks associated therewith during the formation thereof.

Numerous types of candy preforming machines have heretofore been proposed, including machines for the production of candy consumed with the aid of a stick, such as suckers, but these are intricate, expensive and massive machines that entail a substantial financial investment and require a great deal of floor space. So that hard candy producing machines of a sucker type may be rendered available to the average manufacturer whose volume does not warrant the use of intricate, expensive and large, cumbersome equip- Still another object is to provide a machine of a rotary table type with a plurality of complemental die members that are cooperatively actuated in timed relation to feed, preform, effect the association of a stick therewith and accomplish the ejection thereof for discharge in a continuity of high speed operations.

A further object is to provide hard candy preforming devices including complemental die elements that are actuated in timed relation to form hard candy confections in conjunction with a stick serving as a handling expedient therefor.

A still further object is to provide preforming die elements that are movable relative to each other for actuation by stationary cam tracks responsive to the rotation of a table mount therefor.

Still a further object is to provide candy and stick feeding instrumentalities in conjunction with complemental die elements that are movabl ment, novel means have been provided to produce 2 relative to each other in timed relation responsive to the rotation of a table mount in the path of stationary cam tracks.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of the device embodying features of the present invention, parts thereof being broken away and shown in section to clarify the illustration.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of preformed plastic candy in cylindrical ribbons substantially fed to the feeding rollers of the machine shown in Figure 1.

the present invention.

Figure 4 is a section view in elevation of the feed rollers taken substantially along line IVIV of Figures 1 and 5.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section view in elevation taken substantially along line VIVI of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional plan view of the actuating instrumentalities taken substantially along line VII-VII of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation of the roller feeding ratchet taken substantially along line VIII-VIII of Figure '7.

elevation of a bevel gear drive mechanism taken substantially along line XX of Figure '7.

Figure 11 is an axial view of the interior of a complemented die element shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 12 is a side view in elevation of the complemental die element shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the stick receiving table and guide as such are discharged from the hopper, taken substantially along line XIII-XIII of Figures 5 and 21.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation of the candy feeding and severing means taken substantially along line XIV-XIV of Figures 1 and 5.

5 Figure 15 is a sectional view of the upper cam track and support taken substantially along line XV-XV of Figure 5.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the upper cam track supporting bracket taken substantially along line XVIXVI of Figure 15.

Figure 1'7 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the upper cam track and supporting instrumentalities.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line XVIII-XVIII of Fi ure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line XIX-XIX of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along line XX-XX of Figure 5.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary sectional View of the lower portion of the hopper taken substantially along line XXI-XXI of Figure 22.

Figure 22 is a side sectional view in elevation of the hopper taken substantially along line XXIL-XXII of Figure 5.

Figure 23 is a side view in elevation of the completed candy stripper device disposed in the path of the moving complemental dies at a predetermined station viewed substantially from line XX11IXXIII of Figure 5.

Figure 24 is a plan view of a completed candy sucker made from dies of the type illustrated in the preferred embodiment.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of the lower cam track for actuating the lower die complement.

The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as a limitation upon the scope or teachings of the invention, but is merely illustrative thereof. There may be considerable variations and adaptations of all or part of the teaching's de ending upon the dictates of commercial practice. The present embodiment comprises a frame NJ having a frame top H supported by a plurality of corner legs or standards H to elevate the frame top I I from the supporting floor so that a continuous strand or ribbon of plastic candy can be fed thereto, as will appear 'morefullyhereinafter. A bottom plate l3 extends between the corner legs or standards l2 for the attachment to lugs 14 formed integral with the lower end regions of the standards 12. To this :end, the bottom plate I3 is supported and attached to the lugs 14 by means of suitable fasteners such as bolts 15. The bottom plate I3 serves to rigidify the corner legs or standards l2, as well :-as supports operating instrumentalities to be hereinafter described.

An attendant guides the strand or ribbon of plastic candy to a substantially U-s'haped guide bracket I6 that is supportedby a bracket I! fixed to the frame top H near one side It thereof. Confronting feed rollers i9 and 20, in this instance too, are vertically 'ournalled in the stub shafts .2! and '22, respectively, so that the substantially semi-circular groovedperipheries 23 of the rollers I9-2fl will bein confronting edge contact as at 24 (Figure 4), to define the enclosed circular passage .25 conforming substantially with the shape of the strand or ribbon of plastic candy that is manually or automatically fed thereto.

The stub shafts 2l-22 terminate .in threaded fastener nuts 26 to retain the feed rollers lib-'28 on the stub shafts 2l--22 and againstsupporting shoulders 21.28 comprising .a part of comparatively larger gear driven shafts 29-30. The gear driven shafts 29-30 extend downwardly for journalled support in vertically spaced bearings 3 l32 and 33-34 that are press fitted into vertical tubular bearing brackets 35 and 35. respectively. The tubular bearing brackets 35-36 have enlarged base flanges 31, which afford their attachment to a somewhat upraised portion 38 of the frame top II. It should be noted that the feed rollers l92il extend inwardly through openings 3940 (Figure 5) provided in the upstanding sides of the guide brackets [6, so that the confronting peripheral edges 24, defined by a substantially circular passage 25 therebetween, will provide a frictional grasp upon the candy strand or ribbon 4| (Figure 2) for its intermittent feeding towards die members, which will be described hereinafter.

In order to sever the continuous strand or ribbon of plastic candy 41 into segments 42 for deposit into complemental die members, a vertically reciprocal knife 43 is attached to a cross bar 44 by means of fasteners such as machine screws 45 (Figure 14), for vertical reciprocation in the path of the plastic candy strand or ribbon 4 i, that is moved over a predetermined path by the intermittently rotating feed rollers I9-2El. It should be noted that the cross bar 44, provided with vertical bores 46 in the ends thereof to receive bearings 41, are press fitted therein to slide over vertical guide posts 48. The vertical guide posts 68 terminate in threaded lower extremities 49 of reduced diameter, which project in somewhat larger apertures provided in the frame top H, which serves as a rigid support by means of correspondingly threaded nuts 5|, engagin the lower projecting extremities of the threaded nuts 49. The guide posts 48 are spaced beyond the feed guide bracket [6 proximate to the inward extremity thereof to guide the Vertical movement of the knife 63 against the extreme inward edge 52 (Figure 6) that cooperates therewith to sever the strand 4| into segments or units 42 (Figure 3').

The cross bar 44 has a pair of spaced depending webs 53 and 54 formed integral therewith to cooperate With furcated links 55-55 that are pivotally connected therewith through connecting pintles 5'|--58. The furcated links 5556 have rods 5960 threaded thereto as at 6! to project outwardly through enlarged opening 62-63 provided in the frame top I I to constitute actuating instrumentalities connected with the source of power as will appear more fully hereinafter.

As the candy segments 42 are severed from the candy ribbon H responsive to the reciprocation'of the knife blade 43, these fall in a trough 64 that is open at its forward inclined end 65 which terminates just short of the die receptacle that is positioned at the receiving station constituting .a position in radial alignment with the trough 64. The segments 42 are displaced into the die receptacle by means of a disk 66 fixed to a rod 5'! that is horizontally guided .for reciprocal movement in upstanding brackets 68-69 comprising an integral part of the bracket 10 constituting the body of the forwardly-extending trough 64. The bracket 10 is supported on confronting lugs 1'|l-12 (Figures 4 and 14) formed integral with the tubular Vertically shaped bearings 35-36. The bracket 10 is held securely in position by means of threaded elongated studs 13-43 which project downwardly through the bracket 19 for threaded engagement with correspondingly threaded apertures provided in confronting lugs "H-T2.

The plunger rod 61 terminates in a furcated bracket 15 which is pivoted as at 16 to a link 1! having a furcated extremity 18. The furcated link extremity"!!! is pivoted as at 19 to a downwardly inclined lever 80 that is pivotally supported as at 8| to a bracket 82. The bracket 82 is fixed to a cross member 83 that extends between the corner of the legs or standards I2 on the front side I8 of the frame I8.

The lever 88 has an actuating rod 84 pivoted as at 85 proximate to the lower extremity 86 thereof for connection to the power shaft, which will be described hereinafter, to operate the segment feeder 66 in timed relation with the cutting blade 43 and the other instrumentalities such as the die members which will be presently described.

In order to rotatably support the plurality of complemental die members for timed movement in conjunction with the candy feeding, severing, and displacing instrumentalities the frame top I I has a depressed circular portion 81 (Figures 6 and 20) provided with an upstanding hub 88 having a vertical bearing 89 pressed into the axial bore 98 thereof to receive a vertical drive shaft 9| therethrough. A depressed circular portion 81 has an annular circular trough 92 defined by spaced circular walls 9394 formed integral with the depressed frame top portion 81. The outer spaced Wall 94 terminates in a horizontal surface 95 that has a depending peripheral flange 96 extending therefrom to define the outer limits of the depressed frame top portion 81.

A pair of confronting die supporting table mounts 91- 98 are fixed to the drive shaft 9I for rotation therewith, there being complemental keys and key-ways 99-I00 (Figure 6) provided therebetween so that rotation of the drive shaft 9| will insure the rotation of the confronting table mounts 9198 that are maintained in spaced relation by a collar IllI (Figure 20). A ball bearing raceway I92 is interposed between the hub 88 of the depressed frame top 81, and the hub of the lower tab-1e mount 91 to insure smooth and high speed rotation of spaced table mounts 91-98 relative to the depressed frame top portion 81 and its hub 88. 1

A plurality of die receiving compartments I03- I04 are circumferentially spaced in vertically designed relation in the table mounts 91-98 to receive a corresponding number of complemental die bodies I85--I 06, in this instance eleven in each of the table mounts 91-98. It should be observed that the die receiving compartments I03 in the lower table mount '91 communicates with the annular trough 92 formed in the depressed portion 81 of the frame top I I, and that the lower die bodies I85 are secured in the compartments I03 which are of complemental shape to serve as a support therefor. Similarly, the upper compartments I84 are provided with correspondingly shaped die bodies I66 that have overlapping slotted flanges I 81I08 to afford the attachment thereof through the medium of threaded fasteners I89I I0.

Confronting die elements III-I I2 which may be of any suitable shape and type, are provided with shanks II3-I I4 which are reciprocally mounted within somewhat larger bores II5-I I6 provided axially through the die bodies I85-I06. Compression springs I I1I I8 comprising continuous helical eonvolutions of wire, envelope the die shafts II3--II4 below and above the die bodies I05-I06, respectively, to normally urge the dies I I II I2 to their inward extreme position relative to the die bodies I85I06. Suitable caps II9- I2Il are provided on the extremities of the die shafts I I3--I I4 to serve as a stop for the springs II1--I I8 and also to ride over the cam surfaces I2II22 (Figures 1'7, 20 and 25).

The cam surfaces I2II22 comprise the actuators for the dies III-II2, respectively, and these are formed on cam bodies I23I24 serving as actuator tracks over which the die shank caps I I9-I 20 ride over predetermined portions of their are of travel. A plurality of stick receiving slots I25, in this instance one, is provided in the outer peripheral surface I25 of the lower table mount 91 along a radial median line of each die receptacle I83, to receive handle stick I25" that extend inward to the center axis of the lower die element III.

For instance, the cam track I23 (Figures 20 and 25) is fixed to the bottom of the annular trough 92 at approximately the circumferential position comprising substantially the sixth die position from the feeding trough 64 (viewed from Figure 5 and counting in a clockwise direction from the feeding position 64). At this position the cam track I23 would cause the lower die element III to be raised to its extreme upward position (Figure 20) to eject the previously formed candy I26 which is then rotated with the table mounts 9198 to another position approximating the circumferential spacing of adjacent di elements III--II2 where an angular arm I21 is fixed to the frame top II as at I28 (Figure 5) so that the scraper I21 (Figure 23) will present an extended arm I29 between the die elements III-I I2 to displace the completed candy unit I26 from the lowermost die III.

The upper die element H2 which is complemental to the lower die element III, is previously actuated to effect the downward depression thereof against the lower die element III by virtue of the passage of the upper di shank caps I25 against the cam surface I22 of the tract I24. The cam track is guided at both ends |38-I3I (Figure 17) by upstanding threaded studs I32-I33 which project from the cam track end bearing bosses I34I35 comprising part of the arcuate arm I36 (Figures 5 and 1'7).

The center of arm I36 is provided with a recess I31 to receive the head I31 of an adjusting screw I38. The head I31 is retained by a plate I38. The screw I38 is carried on the end of supporting arm I39 and has a threaded end I40 for adjustment by means of handle I 42 bearing on the base I4I at the center of I36. The arm I39 is then pivoted as at I 43 to the furcated ears I44 comprising part of an upstanding web-bed bracket I45 that terminates downwardly in a flange I46 to enable attachment to the frame top I I by means of suitable fasteners such as machine bolts I41 (Figure 5).

With this arrangement, the radially extending bracket arm I39 can be readily pivoted to its extreme counter-clockwise inoperative position (viewed from Figure 15) so that the die elements III--II2 therebeneath are rendered accessible for cleaning, replacement or as operating conditions may require from time to time. Then, too, the degree of power exerted by the upper die element H2 relative to its lower die element I I I,

can be controlled to meet the requirements of different types of candies as well as compensate for wear.

The upper cam track I24 is positioned so that compression commences at the second die station from the feeding trough 64 and increases in degree to its extreme compression that is effected at substantially the fourth die station (Viewed from Figure 5 and counting in a clockwise direction).

At substantially the fifth station from the feed- 7 ing trough 54, the upperdie I I 2 ,isiully released and in the next adjacent station or substantially :the sixth die position the lower cam track I23 begins to lift the lower die element III to accomplish the ejection of the completed candy I26 (Figures 320 and 24).

At the next adjacent position or substantially the seventh, the scraper arm I29 removes the completed candy I26 from the die receptacle I03. -At this station an attendant may wrap, pack .or otherwise process the completed candy I26 depending upon the dictates of commercial practice.

In order to automatically supply the handle sticks I25" to the lower die element III and to effect the support thereof at the desired elevation with respect to the concavity or shape of the complemental die elements IIIII2, the stick .slots I25 are provided to extend in the radially outer peripheral upraised surface I25 of the lower table diemount 91. The radial stick slots I 25 connect with each of the die receptacles I93 provided in the lower table mount 91, and each of the lower die bodies I85 are provided with corresponding slots I48 (Figure which align with the table mount slots I' to receive the as the top of the lower die element III when it is in its initial lowermost position in the die body I05.

With this arrangement, the cady segment 12 will be deformed by both complemental dies II-II I2 into the shape of the latter around the -;inward extremity of the stick I25 responsive to the depression of the upper die element II2.

Circumferential slots I49I50 in this instance too, are provided in the upraised peripheral surface I25 of the lower table mount 91 to minimize the weight of the table mount 91. To this end, the peripheral table mount extension I25 is of channel construction owing to the fact that the underside thereof is peripherally chambered as at I5I (Figure 13) similar construction to depressed frame top portion 81.

The sticks I25" are confined in the hopper I52 that has a conveying side wall extension I53-I54 defining a restricted discharge opening I55 that communicates with the cylindrical bottom I56 formed thereon. The cylindrical hopper bottom I56 has an opening I51 along the length thereof which substantially conforms with and is somewhat larger than the sticks I25" (Figure .22) The stick distributor in the form of a cylindrical rotor I58 is journalled in the correspondingly shaped hopper bottom I56 for support on a shaft I59 that projects therefrom to impart rotation thereto.

The shaft I59 is fixed to the rotor I58, and is journalled in end bearings ISO-IBI provided on the end walls of the rotor bottom I56 so that the sticks I 25" confined in the hopper I52 will be distributed for individual deposit in the radial slots I25 of the lower die mount periphery I25.

A plurality of longitudinally and extending stick receiving slots I62 are circumferentially spaced around the hopper rotor I58 (Figure 2) to individually discharge sticks through the elongated slot I51 in the cylindrical hopper bottom I56 so that sticks of different lengths may be individually discharged from the hopper I52, a partition I63 is adjustably mounted to the side vertical wall I B l-I65 of the hopper I52 so that the partition I63 can be moved toward and away from confronting hopper end walls I66-I61.

To this end, the partition I63 is shaped to cori'espond with the cross-sectional shape of the sticks I25" at approximately the same elevation hopper I52, and it has angle brackets I68-I$9 confronting the side walls I64-I65 to receive fastener bolts I1Il-I1I therefor. The fastener bolts I10--I1I travel in horizontal slits (not shown) which limit the extent of the slidable adjustment of the partition I63 and renders the hopper I52 operable for sticks of varying length within the range required therefor,

The hopper I52 is supported by a bracket I12 fixed to the frame top II by means of fasteners I13 (Figures 1 and 22). The bracket I12 has an upper arcuate extension I14 shaped to'conform with the curvature and size of one side of the cylindrical hopper bottom I56 for attachment thereto by welding or other suitable attaching expedients. The hopper I52 is rigidly supported "50 that its bottom discharge slot I51 overlies and is in the path of the radial slots I25 provided in the die mount periphery I25 (Figure 22).

A stick supporting platform I15 is supported adjacent to the periphery I 25' of the lower die mount 91 and it is supported by means of an angle I16 formed thereon for attachment on the frame top II with the same fastener I13 utilized for attaching the hopper supporting bracket I12 (Figure 22). A curved upstanding guide I11 cooperates with the stick supporting platform I15, to terminate in a bracket I18 which is radially slotted as at I19 to receive a fastener such as a. bolt I89 which extends through the stick supporting platform I15 (Figures 21 and '22) so that the upstanding guide may be radially adjusted for sticks of any length handled by the hopper With this arrangement, the sticks I25" are deposited in the radial slots I25 and as the lower die mount 91 rotates, the stick is carried therewith against the stationary guide I11 which displaces it inwardly for the desired distance so that the inward stick extremity registers with the axis of the lower die element I II. The feeding of the sticks I25" is effected responsive to the rotation of the hopper rotor I58 in timed relation with the other operating instrumentalities as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The instrumentalities thus far described are operated in timed relation from a common power source constituting an electric motor I8I fixed to the bottom frame plate I3 (Figures 1 and '7) for support thereon. The motor I8-I carries a sprocket pinion I82 on the armature shaft thereof to impart rotation to a chain I83 that is in meshing engagement with a sprocket I84 (Figure 7) fixed to the driving shaft I85 of a speed reducer I85. The speed reducer I86 is also fixed to the bottom frame plate I3 so that the driven shaft I81 thereof imparts the desired speed of rotation to a sprocket wheel I88 that is in-alignment with the sprocket wheel I89 fixed to a shaft I 90.

The shaft ISO is journalled in the bearing brackets I9II92I-93 that are attached through any suitable fasteners I94 to the bottom frame plate I3 to rotatably support the shaft I parallel to the driving chain I83. Another chain I95 is in meshing engagement with the sprocket wheels I88-I89 so that rotation of the motor -I8I will impart a reduced speed of rotation to the shaft I99. An eccentric cam I96 is fixed to the shaft I90 to oscillate a connecting rod I91 adjustably connected as at I68 to a, lever I99 (Figure 8) The lever'liia that is rotatably connected to a stub shaft 280 is journalled in alignment with hearing brackets 29 I 202 to rotatably support the S Shaft 1 paralleled spaced relation with 9 the driven shaft I90. Suitable fasteners 203 anchor the bearing brackets 20 I-202 to the bottom frame I3. A ratchet wheel 204 is fixed to the stub shaft 200 to intermittently rotate therewith responsive to a pawl 205 that operatively engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 204.

The pawl 205 is pivotly connected to the lever I99 as at 205 and a spring 201 normally urges the pawl 205 in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 8) to operatively engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 204 so that the oscillation of the lever I99 responsive to the eccentric cam I96 will intermittently rotate the ratchet wheel 204 and its supporting shaft 200.

The stub shaft 200 carries a bevel gear 208 at one extremity thereto to mesh with the bevel gear 209 fixed to the vertical shaft 30, that supports the feed wheel 20. A spur gear 2 I is fixed to the shaft 30 just beneath the frame top II (Figure 14) to mesh with another spur gear 2 fixed to the shaft 29 that carries the confronting feed wheel I9.

Consequently, intermittent opposite rotation is imparted to the confronting feed wheels I9-20 to displace the ribbon or strand of candy a pre-- determined distance. Thereupon, the knife 43 is caused to descend against the ribbon of candy, this being accomplished by reciprocal movement imparted to the rods 59-60 that terminate at their lower extremity in cam followers 2I2 2l3 which are operatively connected to eccentrics 2 I4-2 I 5 fixed to the driven shaft I90.

The eccentrics 2I4-2I5 are rotatably positioned on the shaft I90 to pull the rods 59-60 downwardly after the feed wheels Iii-20 have been momentarily rotated, thereby operating the knife 43 in timed relation with the feed Wheels Iii-20. This effects the severance of the strand 4| into segments 42 that are deposited on the trough 64 (Figure 6) and displaces them into the lower die III by means of the piston 66 that is intermittently actuated by the lever 80 with its connecting rod 84 (Figure 9) operatively connected to an eccentric 2I6. The eccentric 2I6 imparts reciprocation to the plunger rod 67 to displace the segments 42 into the lower die III just as soon as the knife 43 recedes upwardly from the path of the ribbon or strand 4|.

Now, then, the driven shaft IB'I of the speed reducer I85 is connected to a clutch 2|! disposed beyond the sprocket wheel I88 to control the rotation of the bevel pinion 2 I8. To this end, the rod 2I9 terminating in the handle 220 (Figure 7), which is accessible from the exterior of the frame II) to operate the clutch 2H and control the rotation of the bevel pinion 2 I8 that meshes with the bevel gear 22I fixed to shaft 9| proximate to the bottom from plate I3.

With this arrangement continuous rotation is imparted to the lower and upper die table mounts 91-98 to rotatably support the confronting die elements III-I I2 and effect their reciprocal timed displacement by carrying the die shanks IIS-IM with their end caps II9-I20, respectively, in the path of the lower and upper cam tracks I2i-I22 to effect their actuation in the manner and timed relation above described.

In order to feed the sticks I25" in timed relation with the operation of the other instrumentalities, the driven shaft I90 (Figure 7) carries a sprocket wheel 222 at the extremity thereof which projects beyond the bearing I93 to mesh with a chain 223 extending upwardly to engage another sprocket 224 (Figure 1) fixed to the hopper rotor shaft I 59 (Figure 21). It will be apparent, there- 10 fore, that the size of the sprockets 224 will determine the speed of rotation of the rotor I58 for controlled operation in the desired or required timed relation with the rotation of the lower and upper die table mounts 91-98.

The clutch control handle 220 can be utilized to render the die table mounts 91-98 stationary for any desired reason without de-energizing the electric motor I8I.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it must be understood that the invention is capable of considerable variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a hard candy forming machine, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatively mounted on said frame, a plurality of uniformly spaced pairs of normally separated complemental die members on said table, means for rotating said table on said frame, means for effecting the displacement of continuous lengths of candy toward said table, means for severing said continuous length of candy into segments, means for displacing the candy segments between complemental die members as the table continuously rotates to bring complemental die members in the path of said displacing means, cam means in the path of said table for moving one die member complement toward the other with the candy segments therebetween for efiecting the compression and cam shaping of said segments, and means for displacing the other die member complement for ejecting the segment from said die members.

2. In a hard candy forming machine, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatively mounted on said frame, a plurality of uniformly spaced pairs of normally separated complemental die members on said table, means for feeding non-edible sticks to said table with a portion thereof disposed between said complemental die members, means for rotating said table on said frame, means for effecting the displacement of continuous lengths of candy toward said table,

means for severing said continuous length of candy into segments, means for displacing the candy segments between complemental die members as the table continuously rotates to bring complemental die members in the path of said displacing means, fixed cam means for moving one die member complement toward the other with the candy segments therebetween for effecting the compression and shaping of said segments around said sticks, and cam means for displacing the other die member complement for ejecting the segment from said die members.

3. In a hard candy forming machine, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatively mounted on said frame, a plurality of uniformly spaced pairs of normally separated complemental die members on said table, spring means for normally maintaining said complemental die members in spaced relation, means for feeding nonedible sticks to said table with a portion thereof disposed between said complemental die members, means for rotating said table on said frame, means for effecting the displacement of continuous lengths of candy toward said table, means for severing said continuous length of candy into segments, means for displacing the candy segments between complemental die members as the table continuously rotates to bring complemental die members in the path of said displacing means, fixed cam means for moving one die member complement toward the other with the candy segments therebetween for effecting the compression and shaping of said segments around said sticks, and cam means for displacing the other die member complement in a, corresponding direction for ejecting the segment from said die members.

4. In a hard candy forming machine, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatively mounted on said frame, a plurality of uniformly spaced pairs'oi normally separated complemental die members on said table, means for rotating said table on said frame, intermittent means for eiiecting the displacement of continuous lengths of candy toward said table, means for severing said continuous length of candy into segments, means for displacing the candy segments between complemental die members as the table continuously rotates to bring complemental die members in the path of said displacing means, fixed cam means for moving one die member complement toward the other with the candy segments therebetween for effecting the compression and shaping of said segments, and cam means for displacing the other die member complement for ejecting the segment from said die members.

5. In a hard candy forming machine, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatively mounted on said frame, a plurality of uniformly spaced pairs of normally separated complemental die members on said table, means for rotating said table on said frame, intermittent means for effecting the displacement of continuous lengths of candy toward said table, means for severing said continuous length of candy into segments, means for displacing the candy segments between complemental die members as the table continuously rotates to bring complemental die members in the path of said displacing means, fixed cam means for moving one die member complement toward the other with the candy segments therebetween for effecting the compression and shap ing of said segments, cam means for displacing the other die member complement for ejecting the segment from said die members, and means in the path of the ejected segments for efiecting the removal thereof from said table and die members.

6. In a hard candy forming machine, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatively mounted on said frame, a plurality of uniformly spaced pairs of normally separated complemental die members on said table, spring means for normally maintaining said complemental die members in spaced relation, means for rotating said table on said frame, intermittent means for eif'ecting' the displacement of continuous lengths of candy toward said table, means for severing said continuous length of candy into segments, cam means for displacing the candy segments between complemental die members as the table continuously rotates to bring complemental die members in the path of said displacing means, fixed cam means for moving one die member complement toward the other with the candy segments therebetween for effecting the compression and shaping of said segments, cam means for dis placing the other die member complement in a corresponding direction for ejecting the segment from said die members, and means in the path 12 of the ejected segments for effecting the removal thereof from said table' anddie members,

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of comple mental die members circumferentially spaced on said table, radial stick receiving slots in said table between the outer periphery and said die members, confronting candy feeding rollers on said frame for displacing a continuous ribbon of candy toward said table, reciprocally mounted severing means in the path of said feeding rollers for segmenting the continuous ribbon of candy. means for transferring the severed segments to said complemental die members as said table continuously rotates, and fixed cam means for operating said complemental die members to compress the segments around the sticks and effect the ejection thereof from said die members.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of complemental die members circumferentially spaced on said table, radial stick receiving slots in said' table between the outer periphery and said die members, hopper means for confining a supply of sticks above said table, means for successively transferring sticks from said hopper to said table slots with aportlon thereof extending into said complemental die members, confronting candy feeding rollers on said frame for displacing a continuous ribbon of candy toward said table, reciprocally mounted severing means in the path of said feeding rollers for segmenting the continuous ribbon of candy, means for transferring the severed segments to said complemental die members as said table continuously rotates, and fixed cam means for operating said complemental die members to compress the segments around the sticks and effect the ejection thereof from said die members.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of complemental die members circumferentially spaced on said table, radial stick receiving slots in said table between the outer periphery and said die members, spring means for normally maintaining said complemental die members in confronting spaced relation, hopper means for confining a supply of sticks above said table, means for successively transferring sticks from said hopper to said table slots with a portion thereof extending into said complemental die members, confronting candy feeding rollers on said frame for displacing a continuous ribbon of candy toward said table, reciprocally mounted severing means in the path of said feeding rollers for segmenting the continuous ribbon of candy, means for transferring the severed segments to said complemental die members as said table continuously rotates, and fixed cam means for operating said complemental die members to compress the segments around the sticks and effect the ejection thereof from said die members.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of complemental die members circumferentially spaced on said table, radial stick receiving slots in said table between the outer periphery and said die members, spring means for normally maintaining said complemental die members in confronting spaced relation, hopper means for confining a supply of sticks above said table, means for successively transferring sticks from said hopper to said table slots with a portion thereof extending into said complemental die members, confronting candy feeding rollers on said frame for displacing a continuous ribbon of candy toward said table, reciprocally mounted severing means in the path of said feeding rollers for segmenting the continuous ribbon of candy, means for transferring the severed segments to said complemental die members as said table continuously rotates, and fixed cam means for operating said complemental die members to compress the segments around the sticks and effect the ejection thereof from said die members.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of complemental die members circumferentially spaced on said table, radial stick receiving slots in said table between the outer periphery and said die members, spring means for normally maintaining said complemental die members in confronting spaced relation, hopper means for confining a supply of sticks above said table, means for successively transferring sticks from said hopper to said table slots with a portion thereof extending into said complemental die members, confronting candy feeding rollers on said frame for displacing a continuous ribbon of candy toward said table, reciprocally mounted severing means in the path of said feeding rollers for sea-- menting the continuous ribbon of candy, means for transferring the severed segments to said complemental die members as said table continuously rotates, and stationary cam means responsive to the rotation of said table for operating said complemental die members to compress the segments around the sticks and eifect the ejection thereof from saiddie members.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of complemental die members circumferentially spaced on said table, radial stick receiving slots in said table between the outer periphery and said die members, spring means for normally maintaining said complemental die members in confronting spaced relation, hopper means for confining a supply of sticks above said table, means for successively transferring sticks from said hopper to said table slots with a portion thereof extending into said complemental die members, confronting candy feeding rollers on said frame 14 for displacing a continuous ribbon of candy toward said table, means for intermittently rotating said feeding rollers, reciprocally mounted severing means in the path of said feeding rollers for segmenting the continuous ribbon of candy, means for transferring the severed segments to said complemental die members as said table continuously rotates, and stationary cam means responsive to the rotation of said table for operating said complemental die members to compress the segments around the sticks and effect the ejection thereof from said die members.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with a frame, of a table rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality of complemental die members circumferentially spaced on said table, radial stick receiving slots in said table between the outer periphery and said die members, spring means for normally maintaining said complemental die members in confronting spaced relation, hopper means for confining a supply of sticks above said table, means for successively transferring sticks from said hopper to said table slots with a portion thereof extending into said complemental die members, confronting candy feeding rollers on said frame for displacing a continuous ribbon of candy toward said table, reciprocally mounted severing means in the path of said feeding rollers for segmenting the continuous ribbon of candy, means for transferring the severed segments to said complemental die members as said table continuously rotates, and stationary cam means fixed to said frame above and below said complemental die members for operating said complemental die members against the urge of said spring means to compress the segments around the sticks and efiect the ejection thereof from said die members.

LEO LATINI.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,692,559 Miller Nov. 20, 1928 1,689,879 Krout Oct. 30, 1928 901,937 Scott Oct. 20, 1908 1,920,445 Thurlings Aug. 1, 1933 1,507,167 Gigliotti Sept. 2, 1924 2,043,086 Westin June 2, 1936 

